‘Brooklyn Tough’ graffiti mural unveiled at St. Francis College

‘Brooklyn Tough’ graffiti mural unveiled at St. Francis College

The first commissioned graffiti mural commissioned by a college was unveiled at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights on Thursday. Eagle photo by Mary Frost

First in the nation

By Mary Frost

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights unveiled a one-of-a-kind graffiti wall mural in its gymnasium on Thursday, becoming the first college in the nation to commission a graffiti artwork.

The mural, executed by artists from Tats Cru, features a feisty St. Francis Terrier under the words “Brooklyn Tough,” surrounded by symbols of the college’s home turf: the Brooklyn Bridge, the college’s gold doors at the entrance on Remsen Street, brownstones, the Statue of Liberty, a subway train with the NEC initials (Northeast Conference, Division 1), the NCAA letters — and a slice of pizza.

The artists are from “back in the day,” said Irma Garcia, director of athletics at St. Francis. Garcia conceptualized the mural. “There were three guys that did it. One did sketching, one did more of the details and one did the lettering. I was blown away. I’m from Brooklyn; I grew up with graffiti artists. But to have them come in and put it up on the wall, that’s monumental.” She added, “I’m really proud. That’s who we are: Brooklyn Tough.”